There is no protection wall along the main storm water channel No. 1. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 3: Many residents of Sutahat Christian Sahi are facing civic problems because of absence of the one side protection wall along the main storm water channel (mswc) No.1 thanks to apathy on part of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).

According to the residents, Owing to absence of the boundary wall, the waste water from the drain is entering their homes and the problem gets aggravated during the rains.

“Though there is a protection wall on the Dewan Bazar side, but no step has been taken for construction of a similar protection wall at Sutahat Christian Sahi to prevent entry of the waste water in our homes,” said Sridhar Rout (58), a local resident.

During rains, the entire locality becomes waterlogged and due to absence of the protection wall, the problem gets compounded, Rout said.

The mswc-1 originates from Srivihar colony and passes through Sutahat, Buxi Bazar and other areas before it falls into the Katajodi river after treatment at Matagajpur. The mswc-1 is one of the major drains that carry bulk of the waste water generated from various localities in the city.

“Being one of the oldest and natural drains, no step is being taken to block the entry of waste water in our homes. As a result, we are forced to live in unhygienic conditions especially during rains,” said Purnananda Naik (53), another local resident.

The residents are worried as they apprehend to confront similar waterlogging this time as well as till now no step has been taken to carry out the annual desiltation operation.

“There is a pond which has now been covered with weeds and drain water due to absence of the protection wall. Similarly, the mswc-1 that passes through the locality has not been cleaned for long,” said Nizamuddin Khan (65), another local resident.

On the other hand, local councillor Abdul Mallik of ward No. 16 admitted that residents were facing problems because of absence of the protection wall. He said that steps were being taken towards construction of the retaining wall.

“Efforts are being taken towards construction of the one side boundary wall to prevent the entry of drain water in residential colonies under the ward. Moreover, the project has also included the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),” said Mallik.

Moreover, the tender works for the annual desiltation operation for the mswc-1 has been completed and the works will be initiated soon. A total of over Rs 3 lakh has been estimated for desiltation of the main drain from Chandi Mandir Square to Oriya Bazar.